Doctors of Madness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Doctors of Madness | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England  |
| Genre(s) | Proto punk, Art rock, Rock music |
| Years active | 1974-1978 |
| Label(s) | Polydor Records,Ozit Records |
| Website | http://www.doctorsofmadness.co.uk |
| Members | |
| Richard Strange Urban Blitz Stoner Peter DiLemma Dave Vanian (1978) |
|
Doctors of Madnesswere a British protopunk rock band formed in 1974 in a cellar in Brixton, south London by the composer and lead singer/guitarist Richard Strange, known as ‘Kid’ Strange. Active as a recording and touring band until late 1978, they found mainly cult level success and recognition that was not enough to sustain them, but they were later cited as a pivotal influence on the early British punk rock movement and their albums were re-released in 2002 on CD.
[edit] Band history
To provide a platform for his musical ideas and compositions analysing urban neurosis and systems of control; Strange joined forces with Urban Blitz (electric violin, baritone violectra and lead guitar) Stoner (vocals, bass guitar) and Peter DiLemma (vocals, drums) to provide the acclaimed critical link between the early 70’s progressive rock and glam rock of David Bowie and Roxy Music, and the later 70’s punk rock of the Sex Pistols and The Clash. Doctors of Madness cited Velvet Underground and writer William Burroughs as major influences on their music.
Doctors of Madness toured extensively in Great Britain and in continental Europe; gigging in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden.
Doctors of Madness stage shows incorporated costumes, make-up, projected backdrop images, smoke, strobe lights and theatrical spot-lighting and also taped sound effects. Stage props were occasionally used.
Between 1975 and 1977, Doctors of Madness recorded three albums for Polydor records - ‘Late Night Movies, All Night Brainstorms’ produced by John Punter, ‘Figments of Emancipation’recorded at Abbey Road studios with producer John Leckie, and ‘Sons of Survival’. A posthumous compilation ‘Revisionism’ was released in 1981, the band having split in late 1978. The first three albums were recently re-released on CD by Ozit Records .
A single, 'Bulletin' backed by 'Waiting' was released in 1977.
During 1978 the Doctors of Madness line-up briefly included singer Dave Vanian of Punk rock band The Damned, who had recently split.
